In the immediate and early aftermath of a geological disaster, one major goal of communications by geoscientists should be to provide information that will help those impacted make safe and healthy
behavioral choices. This requires moving from answers geared exclusively to the domain of physical science and embracing the art and science of risk and crisis communication. The messages should provide a sense of safety, calming, self- and community
efficacy, connectedness, and hope. This paper suggests ideas and strategies drawn from the literature of disaster communications and from our own personal experience. We also propose a model draft message to be delivered in the immediate aftermath of
an earthquake disaster.